My Bass Rocks

Wow, I missed the bus on this one pretty hard (August 2007 release date)…My boy got me a copy of Below the Heavens a couple days ago and insisted I give it a listen.

Start to finish this album is bananas.  From production (Exile) to lyrics (Blu), there isn’t one aspect of the record that brings it down by any means.  Actually, I should probably put that differently.  This is a perfect record all the way through.

With that said, how was I tripping so hard?  Was it just me, or did other people sleep on this release too?

Keep on keeping for a review…

Just like the last album I reviewed (Tronic), Below the Heavens starts off with a bang.  “My World Is…”  is another example of how every album should start off.  It’s an in-your-face, high-energy, incredibly-produced monster of a track.  How about the sample usage (Blue!)?

Every track following this is just as strong (if not stronger), and sends the listener on a roller coaster through the mind of Blu the MC.  “Simply Amazing” and “Juice ‘N Dranks” follow “My World,” and continue the same high-energy vibe as the intro.  This is effective because it sets up the listener for things to come…

“Cold Hearted” changes the mood a little, and Blu proceeds to get his “Brenda’s Got a Baby” on.  You know, highlighting the other side of life, and showing that he has range in his content matter (you know, some real MC shit).

“Good Life” goes right back to the initial uplifting feel from the first three tracks.  Yet again, it’s an incredible beat with a solid performance from Blu…Actually, this is one of my favorite tracks, which really showcases the overall quality of this record:

The lead single “Blu Colla Worker,” is a feel good, day-in-the-life type of song, which is a perfect theme for the down to earth MC.  As talented and up-and-coming as Blu is, one of his best traits is the ability to give it to you like it is.  Meaning, he’s comfortable enough in his own skin to let the listener see his vulnerable side.  You know, without diving into the whole Tony Montana idolizing that has stained hip-hop for the past decade.  Oh, and the sample use?  How about the way Exile chops it up?  Getthefuckouttahere..

Following “Blu Colla..,” the overall feel calms down a little bit.  Not to say that the quality alters at all, but we are taken on a more relaxed, soulful musical trip through the second half.  “I Am..”, sets the tone from here on out, with a jazzy piano loop and funky bass line.  However, the following track “Dancing in the Rain,” is the true gem of this album.  This is an example of a perfect beat (reminiscent of the 1998 Blackstar era), meeting perfect lyrics.  This one gets crazy rotation on the headphones too:

He spends a good portion of the latter half discussing the trials and tribulations of relationships.  “Party of Two” and “No Greater Love” are both great tracks, dedicated to the opposite sex.  The former has some of the nicest drums on the album, while “No Greater..” is another flawless sample chop via Exile.  “In Rememberence” is Blu’s version of “Memory Lane,” stressing the quick transition from being a child to full-fledged manhood (and all the women that came and went in-between).  “First Things First” is the first joint to include a strong R&B presence.  This usually does less for most hip-hop albums in recent memory, but if done correctly it can propel the full project to other heights.  Guess what?  It works:

Below the Heavens ends just as strongly as it began with “The World Is..”  Exile didn’t stop short anywhere before this point, so why would he here?  The soul behind this beat is pretty incredible (horns included), and the chopped-up crooning is done with the precision of a true beat surgeon.  Blu once again kills it, giving a quick tribute to Illmatic by throwing in a little “The World is Yours” flavor into the chorus (who’s world is this?).

Overall, I’m incredibly blown away by the quality of this album.  Literally every track plays a part in the success of Below, which is unheard of in recent years.  Blu & Exile play off each other perfectly throughout the entire project as well.  It’s very rare to pair an MC and producer together, and make it work as smoothly as this duo from L.A.  Blu has quickly become a favorite in the underground MC game, while Exile stepped his game up immensely to deliver this flawless record.  Yes I said it…FLAWLESS.  After listening to the whole project front to back nearly 50 times, I can’t find one reason to stop from waiving the surrender flag.  Ladies and gentlemen, Bass Rocks has crowned it’s first classic.

Below the Heavens is the best hip-hop album to drop in years, and I’m shocked how long it took to get a copy into my hands.  Attention Nas, listen to this joint as proof that hip-hop lives.  Don’t sleep!

Overall: 10 (out of 10)